[Expression of Dnajb13 and its involvement in the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in the testis of the mouse with cryptorchidism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mRNA and protein expressions of Dnajb13 and its localization in the testis of the mouse with cryptorchidism and its association with the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. METHODS: The localization of Dnajb13 in the spermatogenic cells of 8-week-old mice was detected by immunohistochemistry. The model of unilateral cryptorchidism was surgically established in the mice and verified by TUNEL, flow cytometry and morphological observation. The apoptosis of the spermatogenic cells was analyzed and the mRNA and protein expressions of Dnajb13 in both cryptorchid and healthy testes were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 15 days after modeling. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that Dnajb13 was localized in the elongated spermatids at steps 9－16 of spermiogenesis in the testis tissue of the healthy mice. TUNEL and flow cytometry manifested that the round spermatids at step 1 and primary spermatocytes in miosis were most sensitive to elevated temperature. After modeling, apoptosis was first observed in the round spermatids at steps 1－8, which were decreased from 17.09% to 6.52% (P < 0.05), then in the spermatids during metamorphosis at steps 9－16, and then in the primary spermatocytes. At 3 days after surgery, the expression of Dnajb13 mRNA in the cryptorchid testis was 1.6 times higher than that in the healthy one (P < 0.05) and decreased at 4 days, 1.2 times that of the normal. The expression of the Dnajb13 protein exhibited no significant change at 1－3 days, but a 0.68-fold reduction at 4 days (P < 0.05) and a 0.4-fold reduction at 9 days. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the expression of the Dnajb13 protein in the apoptotic multinucleated giant cells at 6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Dnajb13 is localized in the spermatids during metamorphosis and in the tails of mature sperm in adult mice, involved in sperm metamorphosis and sperm flagellum formation, and expressed in apoptotic multinucleated giant cells in the cryptorchid testis, which may be associated with the apoptosis of round spermatids at stages Ⅵ－Ⅷ.

Rapid solar-driven atmospheric water-harvesting with MAF-4-derived nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon.

Sorption-based atmospheric water-harvesting (AWH) could help to solve global freshwater scarcity. The search for adsorbents with high water-uptake capacity at low relative humidity, rapid adsorption-desorption kinetics and high thermal conductivity is a critical challenge in AWH. Herein, we report a MAF-4 (aka ZIF-8)-derived nanoporous carbon (NPCMAF-4-800) with multiple N-doped sites, considerable micropore characteristics and inherent photothermal properties, for efficient water production in a relatively arid climate. NPCMAF-4-800 exhibited optimal water-sorption performance of 306 mg g-1 at 40% relative humidity (RH). An excellent sunlight-absorption rate was realized (97%) attributed to its high degree of graphitization. A proof-of-concept device was designed and investigated for the practical harvesting of water from the atmosphere using natural sunlight. NPCMAF-4-800 achieved an unprecedentedly high water production rate of 380 mg g-1 h-1 at 40% RH, and could produce 1.77 L kg-1 freshwater during daylight hours in an outdoor low-humidity climate of ∼25 °C and 40% RH. These findings may shed light on the potential of MOF-derived porous carbons in the AWH field, and inspire the future development of solar-driven water-generation systems.

Synchronous multiple primary malignant neoplasms in breast, kidney, and bilateral thyroid: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMNs) are rare, while synchronous MPMNs (SMPMNs) are even less common. Owing to the progression of medical technology and the extension of life expectancy, its incidence is gradually increasing. CASE SUMMARY: Although reports of breast and thyroid dual cancers are common, cases of an additional diagnosis of kidney primary cancer within the same individual are rare. CONCLUSION: We present a case of simultaneous MPMN of three endocrine organs, reviewing the relevant literature to enhance our understanding of SMPMNs while emphasizing the increasingly important need for accurate diagnosis and multidisciplinary management whenever this challenging situation arises.

Jujuboside B promotes the death of acute leukemia cell in a RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway-dependent manner.

Initiation of necroptosis has been considered as a promising strategy for anticancer therapies, especially for eradicating apoptosis-resistant malignant cells. Jujubisode B is a natural saponins extracted from the seeds of Zizyphi Spinosi Semen, and possesses multiple pharmacological activities, including antianxiety, anti-inflammation, antiplatelet aggregation and induction of apoptosis. This study aims to explore the effect of jujuboside B on acute leukemic cells and the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that jujuboside B inhibited leukemia cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and attenuated the clonogenic ability of U937 cells, concomitant with activation of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway; these phenomena were evidently blocked by necroptosis inhibitor (Nec-1). With the help of Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) program, we identified that RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL are potential targets of jujuboside B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that jujuboside B possesses antileukemic activity via a mechanism involving activation of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway.

Coordination between NADPH oxidase and vascular peroxidase 1 promotes dysfunctions of endothelial progenitor cells in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats.

Previous studies have demonstrated that NADPH oxidase (NOX)/vascular peroxidase (VPO1) pathway - mediated oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between NOX/VPO1 pathway and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) dysfunctions in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). The rats were exposed to 10% hypoxia for 3 weeks to establish a PH model, which showed increases in right ventricle systolic pressure, right ventricular and pulmonary vascular remodeling, acceleration in apoptosis and impairment in functions of the peripheral blood derived - EPCs (the reduced abilities in adhesion, migration and tube formation), accompanied by up-regulation of NOX (NOX2 and NOX4) and VPO1. Next, normal EPCs were cultured under hypoxia to induce apoptosis in vitro. Consistent with the in vivo findings, hypoxia enhanced the apoptosis and dysfunctions of EPCs concomitant with an increase in NOX and VPO1 expression, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) production; these phenomena were attenuated by NOX2 or NOX4 siRNA. Knockdown of VPO1 showed similar results to that of NOX siRNA except no effect on NOX expression and H2O2 production. Based on these observations, we conclude that NOX/VPO1 pathway-derived reactive oxygen species promote the oxidative injury and dysfunctions of EPCs in PH, which may contribute to endothelial dysfunctions in PH.

Combination of Emricasan with Ponatinib Synergistically Reduces Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Brain Through Simultaneous Prevention of Apoptosis and Necroptosis.

Apoptosis and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/3(RIPK1/3)-mediated necroptosis contribute to the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Emricasan is an inhibitor of caspases in clinical trials for liver diseases while ponatinib could be a potential inhibitor for RIPK1/3. This study aims to investigate the effect of emricasan and/or ponatinib on cerebral I/R injury and the underlying mechanisms. Firstly, we evaluated the status of apoptosis and necroposis in a rat model of cerebral I/R under different conditions, which showed noticeable apoptosis and necroptosis under condition of 2-h ischemia and 24-h reperfusion; next, the preventive or therapeutic effect of emricasan or ponatinib on cerebral I/R injury was tested. Administration of emricasan or ponatinib either before or after ischemia could decrease the neurological deficit score and infarct volume; finally, the combined therapeutic effect of emricasan with ponatinib on I/R injury was examined. Combined application of emricasan and ponatinib could further decrease the I/R injury compared to single application. Emricasan decreased the activities of capase-8/-3 in the I/R-treated brain but not the protein levels of necroptosis-relevant proteins: RIPK1, RIPK3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL), whereas ponatinib suppressed the expressions of these proteins but not the activities of capase-8/-3. Combination of emricasan with ponatinib could suppress both capase-8/-3 and necroptosis-relevant proteins. Based on these observations, we conclude that combination of emricasan with ponatinib could synergistically reduce I/R injury in rat brain through simultaneous prevention of apoptosis and necroptosis. Our findings might lay a basis on extension of the clinical indications for emricasan and ponatinib in treating ischemic stroke.

[Interaction of DNAJB13 with HK1 in mouse].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of interactions between DNAJB13 and HK1. METHODS: The open reading frame of Dnajb13 gene was amplified from mouse testis cDNA by PCR. The PCR products were then inserted into pGEX-4T-1 vector after double digestion and identified by sequencing. The recombinant plasmids were transformated into competent DH5a cells, and the fusion protein was expressed with IPTG induction. SDS-PAGE Coomassie brilliant blue staining and Western blot analysis were used to detect the fusion protein expression. The protein precipitated by GST-DNAJB13 in GST pull down assay was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid pGEX-4T-1-Dnajb13 was successfully constructed and verified. E.coli transformed with the recombinant plasmid expressed abundant fusion protein. GST pull down assay showed interactions between DNAJB13 and HK1. CONCLUSION: DNAJB13 interacts with HK1 in mouse testis and probably participates in spermatogenesis and the regulation of sperm motility.

Effects of postmastectomy radiotherapy on prognosis in different tumor stages of breast cancer patients with positive axillary lymph nodes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) on the locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS) and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients under different tumor stages and with one to three positive axillary lymph nodes (ALNs). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 527 patients with one to three positive lymph nodes who underwent modified radical or partial mastectomy and axillary dissection from January 2000 to December 2002. The patients were divided into the T1-T2 N1 and T3-T4 N1 groups. The effects of PMRT on the LRFFS and OS of these two patient groups were analyzed using SPSS 19.0, Pearson's χ(2)-test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: For T1-T2 N1 patients, no statistical significance was observed in the effects of PMRT on LRFFS [hazard ratio (HR)=0.726; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.233-2.265; P=0.582] and OS (HR=0.914; 95% CI: 0.478-1.745; P=0.784) of the general patients. Extracapsular extension (ECE) and high histological grade were the risk factors for LRFFS and OS with statistical significance in multivariate analysis. Stratification analysis showed that PMRT statistically improved the clinical outcomes in high-risk patients [ECE (+), LRFFS: P=0.026, OS: P=0.007; histological grade III, LRFFS: P<0.001, OS: P=0.007] but not in low-risk patients [ECE (-), LRFFS: P=0.987, OS: P=0.502; histological grade I-II, LRFFS: P=0.816, OS: P=0.296]. For T3-T4 N1 patients, PMRT effectively improved the local control (HR=0.089; 95% CI: 0.210-0.378; P=0.001) of the general patients, whereas no statistical effect was observed on OS (HR=1.251; 95% CI: 0.597-2.622; P=0.552). Absence of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) (-) was an independent risk factor. Further stratification analysis indicated a statistical difference in LRFFS and OS between the high-risk patients with ER/PR (-) receiving PMRT and not receiving PMRT [ER/PR (-), LRFFS: P=0.046, OS: P=0.039]. However, PMRT had a beneficial effect on the reduction of locoregional recurrence (LRR) but not in total mortality [ER/PR (+), LRFFS: P<0.001, OS: P= 0.695] in T3-T4 N1 patients with ER/PR (+) who received endocrine therapy. CONCLUSION: PMRT could reduce ECE (+), histological grade III-related LRR, and total mortality of T1-T2 N1 patients. T3-T4 N1 patients with ER/PR (-) could benefit from PMRT by improving LRFFS and OS. However, PMRT could only reduce LRR but failed to improve OS for T3-T4 N1 patients with ER/PR (+) who received endocrine therapy.